Clarence B Williams

Clarence Banks Williams passed away peacefully on February 20, 2024, with his family by his side after a sudden illness. He was 93. Clarence was born on January 13, 1931, in Savannah, Georgia to Ruby Banks and Clarence Williams. He lived with his grandmother, Eva Banks, before moving to New York City in the early 1940s. While living with his grandmother, he learned to sew and grew to love the creativity of making things. This love led him to take up tailoring at NYC’s Central High School of Needle Trades. He apprenticed in factories during his senior year, but because of his race he had difficulty finding employment despite his proven abilities. In the Bronx, he met and eventually married his beloved wife, Mildred Spratley, and for a time he abandoned his love of tailoring in order to support his new family. Clarence worked as a packer until he was about to be drafted into the Army. He joined the Navy instead. He held the rank of Steward, first in Maine, and then he served on the USS Pittsburgh in the Mediterranean and the Near East. When Clarence left the Navy in 1955, he took all the civil service exams available – passing them all. He wanted to join the New York Police Department, but he did not want to wait the three years it would take to enter the Police Academy. Instead, he became a postal worker sorting mail on the trains. After a short time, he worked as a NYC Transit system conductor before embarking on his long-term career as a Transit Policeman. He served as a NYC Transit policeman and sergeant until his retirement in 1980. One day, his wife gave him a doll kit which started him on a fascinating career as a dollmaker. He lovingly created handmade dolls for most of his life. Clarence and his wife designed and made dolls, starting with Raggedy Ann and Andy, Popeye, and even a Kunta Kinte figure. Never in it for the money, he found joy in the happiness his creations gave to others. Making dolls led him back to his love of sewing and eventually to other creative ventures, like molding beautiful stained-glass designs. Upon retirement, Clarence and his wife moved to St. Augustine, Florida. They became prominent community members, serving as founding members of the Ft. Mose Historical Society along with membership in other charitable and community-oriented groups. For nearly 44 years, Clarence was a member of the local American Legion veterans’ association and the Mt. Horeb Masonic Lodge. He also served as a deacon in the New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry where he lent his beautiful baritone voice to the choir. In addition, Clarence and Mildred traveled extensively, taking national and international trips each year with friends. Clarence Banks Williams is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Mildred; daughter, Sonja; son, Craig, and his wife, Maria; sister, Bernita Babb; nieces, Pamela and Melanie Babb; nephews, Gregory Williams and Sean Williams; and cousins, Doris Brown; Koppel Brown; Charles Jones Jr.; Marvin and Irene Hodges; Kevin and Paulette Brown; Florence and Joseph Bennett; Blaine, Eric and Gregory Richardson; Leatrice Brown; Shannon and Toby LeVan and family. Clarence’s legacy of love and creativity also shines bright in his grandchildren, Tiffany (who preceded him in death) and Symone Williams and Leon Campbell and his wife, Constance; and his great-grandchildren, Danitza, Imani and Leon Campbell Jr., and Camren LaCapra. Clarence Williams’ life, and his practice of creating hilarious rhyming nicknames for everyone in his universe, will continue to inspire and warm the hearts of the family members and the host of friends and colleagues he has left behind. Memorial services will be held at St. Augustine’s New Mt. Moriah Christian Ministry: Viewing on March 8th from 5:00-7:00pm; Funeral on March 9th at 11:00am (and livestreamed on the Ministry’s Facebook page); Burial on March 11th, 1:00pm, Jacksonville National Cemetery. St. Johns Family Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Clarence B Williams

January 13, 1931 - February 20, 2024